The Washington Legislature has approved expansions to the benefits of families of fire and law enforcement officers killed on duty.
The measure that passed the House 92-2 on Tuesday removes a 10-year service requirement for officers to qualify for the benefits, and expands the lump sum given to families to $214,000. It also requires the state’s universities to provide free tuition for families.
Additionally, they would receive at least 10 percent of the officer’s salary yearly.
The Senate approved the bill last week. It now heads to Gov. Christine Gregoire.
The House and Senate differed on a provision in the bill that ends the benefits if an officer’s spouse remarried. House lawmakers say they will revisit the issue during next year’s legislative session. (AP)
